Feasibility study of implementing an industrial robot for induction

3.2 Characteristic of industrial robots 
Industrial robots have particular characteristics that make them function or 
perform as required. These characteristics of industrial robot includes sensing, 
movement, energy and intelligence 
3.2.1 Sensing
Due to the automation application of robots it should first have a sensor (director) 
that will enable the robot to sense its surroundings or environment. Robots have 
different ways of sensing their surrounding which is not at the same as with 
humans. The robot can be provided with sensors such as light sensors (eyes), 
touch and pressure sensors (hands), 
chemical sensors
(nose), 
hearing and sonar 
sensors
(ears), and 
taste sensors
(tongue) will make the robot awareness of its 
environment ./24/ 

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3.2.2 Movement
One of the characteristics required in a machine as a robot is that it should be able 
to move within its working environment or premises. This movement can be 
rolling on wheels, walking on legs or propelling by thrusters. /24/ 
3.2.3 Energy 
The energy used by the robot is counted as one of its important characteristics as 
the robot needs to be able to power itself. There are different ways it can be 
powered: robot might be solar powered, electrically powered, battery powered or 
hydraulically powered. The work of which the robot is designed to do or its 
function will determine the type of energy source to be used to power the robot. 
/24/ 
3.2.4 Intelligence 
The most important among all the characteristics of robots is its intelligence. This 
is the area where programming enters into the scene. The robot is smart when it 
does exactly what it is supposed to do. The programmer then is a person who is to 
provide the robot its smartness. The robot therefore receives the program to 
determine what to do, when to do and how to do it. /28/